Quebec to review Enbridge pipeline

Operations coordinator Doug Rotzien works at the Enbridge Pipelines oil terminal facility in Hardisty, Alta. A proposed pipeline would reverse the flow of a link already in operation between Montreal and North Westover, Ont.
(Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

Quebec's new government wants to conduct its own review of the proposed Enbridge pipeline.

The province wants to ensure the suggested pipeline follows Quebec laws and environmental regulations. The project is also being reviewed on the federal level by the National Energy Board.

The pipeline would reverse the flow of a link already in operation between Montreal and North Westover, Ont.

Instead of transporting imported oil into Canada, the pipeline flow would be reversed to send domestic oil from Western Canada to consumers in Central Canada.

Alexandre Cloutier, the Parti Québécois minister for Canadian intergovernmental affairs and minister responsible for sovereign governance, said the government wants to consult the people directly involved in the project.

Environment Minister Daniel Breton, who has concerns about oil spills, said Quebec wants more information on the Enbridge project before deciding to approve it.

"We are in charge of our territory, we must have our say," he said. "It's as simple as that."

Breton said he wants Quebec to participate in hearings by the National Energy Board.

He criticized the previous provincial Liberal government for not being more involved in the file.

Breton said no decision has been made on which provincial agency will be responsible for the consultation but Natural Resources. Minister Martine Ouellet said Quebec will pay close attention to the deliberations of the National Energy Board.

"We will have to analyze the impact of the project," she said.

Interim Liberal Leader Jean-Marc Fournier said he's fine with the idea of more environmental monitoring.

But he said he hopes the PQ hasn't already decided against the project.